Connect First

• Book your hotel and travel as soon as possible. GBTA partnered with local hotels for discounted accommodations, book while they’re available!
• Packing- attire, comfortable shoes, water bottles, tote bags, notetaking items. Appropriate clothing: some attendees dress casually in jeans, others are in suits. The best recommendation is to dress according to your conference goals. If you plan business meetings, you'll need business attire. And don’t forget to wear comfortable shoes! The days are long, the convention centre is large, and sharp sneakers with business attire are in style now. Conference is a great time to embrace the trend!
• Create an agenda of sessions you want to attend via the attendee hub and the mobile app. Be sure to download the app before arriving. Adding a session to your agenda does not guarantee a seat in the room.
• Try not to be overwhelmed by the number of programs and activities. Plan ahead to optimize your time. Sessions fill up and you may get closed out of the room for capacity. Pick a Plan B for each time slot.
• Make time for breaks – conferences can be overwhelming there is so much to do, so many people to meet. Don’t wear yourself out early, it won’t matter how much you see if you are too worn out to remember it or how many people you meet if you are too burnt out to make a good impression.
• Engage with other attendees via the Conference app. Check out the attendee list and expo map to see who you may be interested in meeting with.
• Review what meals are included in your registration and in the program.
• If you’ve never been to the exhibit hall, plan to set aside some time to cover it adequately. Plot out where vendors are located so you don’t waste time backtracking later.
• GBTA membership is included in the price of your registration.   GBTA membership also unlocks a world of benefits designed to elevate your knowledge and connections in the business travel realm, find out more here.

• Own your status as a Connect First attendee, and use it as an opportunity to break the ice. Conference participants love to welcome new community members, and many have been in the industry, attending GBTA Events and affiliated with GBTA for years. If you have a question, we promise that someone in the room knows the answer!
• Explore the show floor to meet contacts you have never met face-to-face, hear industry news or trends, experience various activations, and be open to learning about new buyers or suppliers you don’t know yet (and, let’s be honest, probably pick up some cool swag while you are at it!).
• Aim for meaningful conversations – quality over quantity. You won’t remember everyone you meet at Convention, but you will remember the meaningful ones, and so will they.
• If you are a supplier, keep customers in your booth by introducing them to your colleagues who they may not know yet.
• Step outside your comfort zone – sit with a friendly face who you may not know at a meal, strike up a conversation with that person you have run into at the hotel coffeeshop the last two mornings, and go to a party even if you will only know one or two people. Make the most of your time by being open to new people or experiences!
• Make a buddy at the Connect First Orientation and Networking Session who you can walk to and sit with at sessions, share a meal with, and who’s growing networks you can introduce each other to. Everything is more fun with a friend!

Don't miss out on these key sessions during the Conference:

• Main Stage Opening General Session and Welcome Reception on Monday, April 22
• Connect First Orientation and Networking Session, more information below

• Connect with your new industry friends on LinkedIn, where their network becomes your network.
• Debrief on GBTA Canada Conference 2024 | Toronto with your boss and colleagues, share interesting insights or trends you picked up, and show the value of your attendance.
• Continue to foster the relationships you made at Conference by becoming a member, if you haven’t already
• Follow up with people you met at the conference. Even if you don't have a specific need in mind, it’s good to further develop relationships started at the conference.
• View the attendee list in the app to collect contact information for any contacts you developed that you would like to continue after Convention has ended.
• Follow GBTA on socials to stay connected with your colleagues and GBTA after the Conference.
• Complete the survey and tell us what you liked and how we can improve!